NEW DELHI: Uttar Pradesh encounter specialist Ajay Pal Sharma, deployed as a police observer in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district, has been seen in a viral video issuing a stern warning to Falta Trinamool Congress (TMC) candidate Jehangir Khan. Sharma cautioned that if Khan's supporters continued to threaten voters in the constituency, they would be dealt with properly.
In the video, Sharma is heard telling Khan's family members: "Tell him, we'll deal properly with him if his men continue to threaten... don't cry or regret it then." The warning comes amid heightened political tensions ahead of the West Bengal assembly elections.
BJP Applauds, TMC Slams
BJP's IT department chief Amit Malviya praised Sharma as the "Singham" of Uttar Pradesh, stating that the encounter specialist wasted no time in setting the tone and reading the riot act to the family members of Abhishek Banerjee's close aide. Malviya said the message was loud and clear: the era of intimidation and impunity is over, and law and order will prevail.
However, the ruling TMC in West Bengal reacted sharply, targeting Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and the officer. TMC leader Mahua Moitra posted on X, saying: "My Fair & Lovely boy — we're the kind who can deal with both your 'small Fanta' and 'big Fanta.' So keep your heroics in check."
Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, an ally of Mamata Banerjee in the INDIA bloc, criticized Sharma, calling him an "agenda-driven agent" of the BJP. Yadav wrote on X: "These are all unregistered underground members masquerading as officers. We shall neither let them flee nor go to ground. They will be tracked down, dug out if need be, and made to face legal punishment for their misdeeds."
Election Campaign Ends, Security Arrangements
The campaign in West Bengal officially ended on Monday at 5 PM, marking the final phase of political outreach before the upcoming polls on April 29. The results will be declared on May 4. The Election Commission has planned to retain 700 companies of central forces in Bengal after the polls, with 500 companies earmarked exclusively for law and order duties.
Officials said the EC also plans to deploy another 1,920 companies by mid-April, taking the total to 2,400 companies for the elections. The 500 companies to remain for law and order consist of 200 companies of CRPF, 150 of BSF, 50 of CISF, 50 of ITBP, and 50 of SSB. This indicates anticipation of post-poll violence, retaliatory clashes, intimidation, or other disturbances. Another 200 companies will remain for EVM, strong room, and counting center security until counting ends.
The post-poll arrangement suggests the Centre expects a serious risk of post-poll unrest, an official said. EC officials are cautious about post-poll violence as over 1,300 cases occurred in 2021, with 90% between May 2 and 5, before the government took charge. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was sworn in for a third term on May 5, 2021; until then, the EC was in charge of law and order.
